By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said he will not compel his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to join him in the All Progressives Congress.

Diri was formally received into the APC on November 3, after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party on October 15.

His deputy had previously sought a court injunction to prevent the state House of Assembly from impeaching him over his refusal to join the APC.

Addressing the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday, with Ewhrudjakpo present, Diri said he believes in engagement rather than confrontation as a matter of principle.

He noted that while it is challenging for them to belong to different political parties, ongoing discussions with his deputy are yielding positive results.

Diri disclosed that the case filed by Ewhrudjakpo at the Federal High Court in Abuja to halt a purported impeachment plan had been discontinued following their discussions.

He urged the people of the state to embrace unity and see politics as a means to promote development rather than sow division.

He said, “Let me address an issue that has been a subject of speculation in the media. I do not intend to force people to join the APC but rather to appeal to them to see reason with me. I might have the power today, but not tomorrow.

“It is actually difficult for the governor to be on one side and the deputy on another. But we will continue to talk, and we might end up at the same party tomorrow.

“We must not heat up the polity. We are done with violence in Bayelsa State. We are brothers and we are one. Politics should be for the development of the state and not to fight one another.”

Responding to reports of armed men allegedly arriving in the state, Diri dismissed the rumours as fake news, but assured all that security agencies have been put on the alert to address any threats.

He reaffirmed Bayelsa as one of the most secure states in the country and urged residents to report security issues to relevant authorities rather than spreading falsehoods on social media.

During the meeting, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, presented Diri with recognition of Bayelsa as the “Best State in Health Insurance Service Delivery” by the Nigeria Governors Forum.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

In a significant shift in national education policy, the Federal Government has directed all teachers to adopt English as the principal medium of instruction in Nigerian classrooms. The decision rescinds the long-standing mandate to use indigenous languages in schools.

Announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, at the British Council’s Language in Education International Conference 2025 in Abuja, the policy aims to standardize teaching methods across the country and enhance student learning outcomes.

The two-day event, themed “Language, Education and Inclusion: Empowering Every Learner,” brought together policymakers, educators, researchers, and development partners from Africa, South Asia, and the UK to discuss strategies for advancing equitable, quality education through language.

Dr. Alausa stressed that while preserving indigenous languages remains important for cultural identity, English should be the primary language of instruction from pre-primary through tertiary education to enhance comprehension and global competitiveness.

He noted that English serves as a unifying tool across Nigeria’s diverse linguistic landscape, giving students broader access to knowledge, technology, and international opportunities.

The minister explained that the cancellation of the mother tongue policy was informed by data and evidence showing that its overuse in some regions had negatively affected learning outcomes, contributing to high failure rates in national examinations such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB. He emphasized the need for evidence-based governance over emotional attachment to language:

“English language should be used to teach our students at all levels as a means of instruction. Over the years, mother tongues have been used to teach and this has largely been responsible for the failures recorded in exams. The national policy on language has been cancelled. English now stands as the medium of instruction across all levels of education,” he said.

The Office of the Deputy Governor of Kano State wishes to confirm that the Toyota Hilux vehicle recently stolen has been successfully recovered by the Police.

According to a report received from the Police, the vehicle was traced and recovered in the early hours of Wednesday following a swift and coordinated operation by security operatives.

A suspect, who serves as a permanent and pensionable driver, has been arrested in connection with the theft and is currently assisting the Police in their ongoing investigation.

The Deputy Governor’s Office commends the prompt response and professionalism displayed by the Police and other security agencies involved in the recovery effort.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Office categorically clarified that the incident was a clear breach of trust by the arrested driver.

“The general public is hereby advised to remain calm and rest assured that the security of lives and property remains the top priority of the Kano State Government, both within and outside the Government House,” the statement added.

IBRAHIM GARBA SHUAIBU
Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kano State
12th November, 2025